Ink-well.



P. H. SEREFFw INK WELL.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 8. 1917-v Patented Oct 16, 1917.

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PETER H. SEREIEF, or LIMA, OHIO.

INK-WELL.

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Application filed March 8, 1917. Serial No. 153,343.

To all whom it may concern:

Be knownthatI, PETER H. Siinnrr, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lima, in the county of Allen and Stateof Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ink-Wells, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in ink wells, having automatic means to feed the ink from the main reservoir or storage tank, to a point, where-the same may be conveniently applied to the pen.

An important object of the invention is to provide an ink well of the above mentioned character, having means to automatically seal the same to the exclusion of the atmosphera thus preventing evaporation of the ink.

A further object of the invention is to provide an ink well ofthe above mentioned character, which is highly convenient in use, and so constructed that the pen point may be readily dipped into the ink, while the pen handle is held by the fingers in the usual position for Writing.

A further object of the invention is to provide an ink well of the above mentioned character, having a low center of gravity, so that the same will not be readily upset.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the above mentioned character, which is simple in construction,

inexpensive to manufacture, durable, and

attractive in appearance;

Other objects and advantages of the in vention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an ink well embodying my invention,

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same,

Fig. 3 is a central vertical sectional view through the same, and,

Fig. 4 is a detail section taken on line l l of Fig. 3.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 5 designates a main reservoir, which is preferably semi-spherical and is provided with a. flat base 6, whereby the reservoir has a low cen ter of gravity, and is not liable to be knocked over or upset. The main reservoir is prefele ably formed of glass, while othersuitable material may be employed. v

The main reservoir 5 is provided upon one side and near itsbottom withan opening 7, for receiving a tubular housing 8, which fits snugly within the opening to form a liquid tight joint. Any suitable means may be em ployed-iforneifecting a proper union between the housirigS and the main reservoir 5. i The housing 8 projects into the main reservoir 5 for a substantial"distance, andhas its inner end-formed'open, such opening being normally closed by a head or end9, forming a liquid tight jointwith the housing. The lower portion or bottom of the housing 8 is provided with a recess or opening 10, extend 1ng between spaced tracks 11. The recess 10 is in communication with inverted V-shaped openings 12, in turn communicating with the interior of the main reservoir 5. The housing 8 is provided at'its forward end with a spherically curved valve seat 13, which is suitably ground to receive a ball valve 14, and form an air tight joint therewith. The ball valve 14 travels upon the tracks 11, which are vertically inclined and extend downwardly toward the valve seat 13, thus causing the ball valve to automatically return to its seat. The ball valve 14 is inserted into the housing 8 by removing the end 9.

In the use of the device, the housing 8 is removed from the opening 7, and the main reservoir 5 partly or wholly filled with liquid ink. The housing 8 is then returned to the operative position within the opening 7. The device operating upon the principle of a barometer, a portion of the ink will pass from the main reservoir through the openings 12 and will be held within or adjacent the recess 10 of the housing 8, the

level of the ink within the space 10 being automatically maintained constant. When the ball valve 14: is seated, the atmosphere is eifectually excluded from the interior of will automatically return to its seat 13. As the level of the ink in the recess 10 is retained above the top of the openings 12, the

housing 8 serves as a seal forthe main reservoir 5, thus excluding the atmosphere therefrom when the ball valve is seated or un seated. I V a i It'is to'be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims. r

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

.1. An ink wellofzth'e character described, comprising a main reservoir,.a housing connected with the main reservoir and provided in its lower portion with a recess having communication withthe interior of the main reservoir, said housing being provided with an inclined guide-way and a valve seat at the lower endof the guide-Way, and a rolling valve arranged to travel upon the guideway and to contact wlth the valve seat.

2. An 111k well of the character described,

comprising a'main reservoir provided near its :bottom with an opening, a housing secured w1th1n the opening and pro ect1ng into the main reservoir, said housing having ing to the interior of the main reservolr, said housing being further providedwith inclined tracks extending downwardly toward the open end of the housing, saidhous-v PETER H SEREFF.

Witnesses CARL C. KEsLnR, JAMEs R. CURTIS.

Copies of thispatent may be obtained for five eents'eaeh, by addressing the Commissioner ofratents,

Washington, I). C.

its outer e'nd'opemits inner end closed, andi its bottom provided with an openlng lead- 

